Get the MarineRadar appSatellite AISSatellite live trackingTrack any shipLive alerts112,000+ ships trackedDownload free

Saint-Pierre Lighthouse

Q Red 4.3s🇫🇷Royan, FROperational

Location & Light Range

About Saint-Pierre Lighthouse

Also known as: Saint-Pierre (feu postérieur)

The Saint-Pierre light, built in 1962, stands on a hill overlooking Royan, France. This square masonry tower, painted red, reaches a height of 35 meters, with its light positioned 61 meters above sea level. It emits a quick flashing red light. The original lighthouse at this location was destroyed in 1944, leading to a series of temporary and then more permanent structures. By 1962, a channel shift required moving the light to its current site atop a water tower. The site is accessible to the public, but the tower itself is closed.

Why it matters: This light is part of a range system, operating northeast of another lighthouse to provide precise guidance for vessels navigating the shifting channels of the French Atlantic coast.

Background
The Phare d'Eckmühl, also known as Point Penmarc'h Light or Saint-Pierre Light, is an active lighthouse in Penmarc'h, Finistère department, Brittany, France. At a height of 213 feet (65 m) it is one of the tallest lighthouses in the world. It is located at the port of Saint-Pierre, on Point Penmarc'h, on the southwestern corner of Finistère and the northwestern entrance to the Bay of Biscay.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Q Red 4.3s
Flash Type
Quick
Light Color
Red
Interval
4.3s
Raw Code
Q R
Focal Height
61m
Geographic Range
20.2NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1962

Significant events: original lighthouse destroyed by German troops in 1944, temporary post light in 1948, more permanent structure in 1960, channel shift forced removal of light to water tower in 1962

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
35m
Tower Shape
square
Tower Color
red

Structure: square masonry tower

Location

City
Royan
Country
🇫🇷France
Region
Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Sea Region
on the Rue de Clouzit, on a hill on the north side of Royan, France, 1.8 km northeast of the front lighthouse
Latitude
45.6340°
Longitude
-1.0258°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Royan(1.0 km)
Admiralty No.
D1312.1
NGA No.
1512
ARLHS No.
FRA256
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q135225 →
Live tracking · 50,000+ mariners

Find Saint-Pierre Lighthouse on the live nautical map

Plan voyages near France, see nearby vessels in real time, and explore 14,900+ navigation aids in the app.

Nautical mapNearby vesselsVoyage planning
Get the App

Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Saint-Pierre Lighthouse at night?+
Saint-Pierre displays the characteristic Q Red 4.3s. Each lighthouse has a unique flash pattern published in the List of Lights, allowing mariners to positively identify it and distinguish it from other navigation aids in the area. The red color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Saint-Pierre Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Saint-Pierre Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Royan at 0.8 NM to the S. Other ports served include L'Éguille (4.3 NM NNE), Le Verdon-sur-Mer (4.9 NM SSW), Mornac-sur-Seudre (5 NM N), Chaillevette (6.1 NM N). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Saint-Pierre Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Saint-Pierre Lighthouse is currently operational. It is actively maintained and continues to emit its characteristic light signal for marine navigation. Most modern lighthouses are automated and monitored remotely by the national maritime authority.
How can I track vessels near Saint-Pierre Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Saint-Pierre Lighthouse in real time using MarineRadar. The platform shows live AIS positions of ships in the area, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course. Use the "Track Vessels Nearby" button on this page to open the live map centered on this lighthouse.